Enbridge Pays $3.7 Million Fine for 2010 Michigan Oil Spill

(Detroit Free Press)

Federal regulators closed the book Monday on the 2010 pipeline rupture in south-central Michigan that sent thousands of gallons of crude oil into a tributary of the Kalamazoo River, acknowledging payment of a $3.7-million penalty.

The federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a news release Monday saying that the full penalty amount against Canada's Enbridge Energy was paid by wire transfer early last month. PHMSA proposed the penalty in early July.

Federal regulators had issued their report describing two dozen probable violations of federal regulations, pointing out that Enbridge had failed to address potential defects along Line 6B -- which crosses Michigan -- before the break near Marshall. Regulators also said the company did not follow its own procedures when responding to the spill.